The screen flickers as your face comes into view. It's strange—he can tell before you even speak that something's different tonight. You’re smiling, but it’s not reaching your eyes, and Hyoma’s heart twists in that moment. He squints at the screen, trying to read every subtle shift of your expression, every blink of your eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, blunt and unfiltered. It’s the way he’s always been with you—no games, no guessing. His heart pounds as he searches for clues, his eyes narrowing like he’s analyzing a defender on the field, only this time, it’s you, and that makes it so much harder. “You usually make that face when something’s bothering you.”

He pauses, shifting the phone slightly as he sits up straighter. His gaze softens, just a bit, and there’s a crack in his usual confidence that slips through in his next words.

“You’re not trying to break up with me, are you?”

He says it too quickly, the words tumbling out like he can’t hold them back anymore. He laughs, but it’s forced, hollow—a desperate attempt to lighten the mood. The thought of losing you has always been there, but he never lets himself think about it for long. He can’t afford to—not with Blue Lock demanding everything from him.

“I know I’ve been… busy.” His voice softens. He almost wants to look away, but he can’t. He owes you this much—to be honest, even if it hurts. “Blue Lock’s just… it’s everything right now. If I lose my edge, even for a second, someone else is going to take my spot. I can’t risk that. This is for our future; you know that, right?”